After the previous days exciting events, we packed our things and left Bard's Leap. I had not forgotten the reason we had made the trip so far West: Serpent's Bluff Redoubt, whereupon a host of bandit folk were holed up. According to my scribbles, it was one of the Companions who had tasked me with this... It had been awhile however... maybe they thought I was dead.
I was still formulating a plan of attack as we crossed the valley. So lost in thought was I that the beating of wings did not stir me from my thoughts. The roar and ice breath did though. Kharjo got behind cover and I readied my bow. The scuffle with the Forsworn had left me low on arrows, so I had to make my shots count. I fought this battle with caution; taking my time to line up a shot, only straying from the cover of rocks when I was sure I could hit my foe.
My patience paid off as the dragon became impatient at his lack of success and my opposite fortune. He landed on the hill above me with a roar, almost knocking a tree over. I raced to the top of the hill, forgoing my dagger in favor of my new elven sword. Before the dragon could let off a gout of ice breath I used some of his own power upon him, stunning him for a few precious moments. My blade cleaved into him as Kharjo, who was glad to finally be of help, flanked the dragon at its side. The battle was won...however I could not help but feel that I had been recently tangling with the weaker dragons. That Alduin dragon would surely prove a challenge, if ever we faced.
We met up with Kharjo's old caravan as we crossed the valley, and offered to accompany them as far as our paths crossed. Before parting ways I sold a few trinkets I had claimed from the Forsworn, and stocked up on the many potions and arrows I had used in my battles. Luck was with us still, as night began to fall as we neared the bluff. Still, the guards at the front showed little signs of fatigue, so I looked for an alternate solution.
Leaving a worried but compliant Kharjo behind, I began climbing the rocks that rose above the encampment that separated them from the steep drop into the valley. Surely the last place they would expect an attack would be the cliff side they were perched on. My suspicions proved correct: Not a single enemy stood in my path as I crept down into the camp. Better still, all of the people of the camp had retired into their tents with the exception of the guards at the front.
And so began my silent reign of death. I cannot describe the satisfaction I felt, as I moved with the shadows, dispatching foe after foe, sending arrows into exposed necks and daggers into unguarded backs. As I sent an arrow flying into one of the guards, I decided to let the other view my handiwork as he frantically looked someone to assist him. Even Kharjo sounded impressed as I lead him into the camp. We still had one area left though, a ruined underground bunker of sorts. Outside or indoors, it mattered little, as I began my work anew.
Imagine my surprise when the leader of this group shared similarities with the group we had defeated the day before. Feathers and ugly abound...ugh. Learning from our previous encounter, I shot my arrows from afar, and before the Hagraven had time to return fire, Kharjo rammed into the monster. Unable to cast its fireballs at such close range proved to be its downfall.
We returned to Whiterun, only to sell our plunder and set out again, this time for Orphan Rock, where the proprietor of the alchemy shop had told us we would find an artifact called Nettlebane there. To be honest it was an uneventful journey compared to my other recent ones, with only a Wispmother to add danger to the trip. (I should note the elven boots I gained do wonders against a Wispmother's frost attacks, but they can still be quite painful).
Orphan Rock proved to be little more than a dingy camp and home to a Hagraven, protected by three witches. As it turns out, witches are a lot like a lame deer...in that I can hunt both quite easily in the forest. With its followers gone the Hagraven was easy prey, and I even chose to have fun with it, shouting my new found Thu'um of ethereal form before marching up to the Hagraven, impervious to its fireballs.
On the way back from Orphan Rock I spoke with Delphine, who was convinced the Thalmor had something to do with these dragons. I didn't quite share the same suspicion, but she had been at this longer than I. The only way to be sure of this was to find a way into the Thalmor Embassy and do some digging. This would probably involve me, a disguise, and a fair amount of subtlety. I imagine Khajiit frequently make the guest list at Thalmor parties, but hopefully her contact on the inside would have a good plan. In time. For now I should I think it best if I finish helping the people I promised. You never know when a good deed will be rewarded.
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